Kirk Watson: “Mr. Speaker, I am representing the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) as a member of the Committee on Government…”

“Mr. Speaker, I am representing the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, and I am pleased to join the gentleman in consideration of H.R. 2075, legislation naming a postal facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, after Judge Edward Rodgers. H.R. 2075 was sponsored by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) on May 13, 2003. The bill has met the Committee on Government Reform policy, and has been cosponsored by the entire Florida delegation. Edward Rodgers has lived in West Palm Beach since 1950 when he married West Palm Beach native Gwendolyn Baker. Mr. Rodgers began his career as a teacher, later becoming an assistant principal. In reaction to the injustices of teaching in a segregated society, Mr. Rodgers became an attorney, graduating from Florida A&M University Law School in 1963. He went on to become the first black county prosecutor and the first black judge in Palm Beach County. Judge Rodgers served on the bench for 22 years before retiring in 1995. On his first run for office in 1999, Judge Rodgers won a seat on the Riviera Beach City Council, where he presently serves as council chairman. Mr. Speaker, Judge Rodgers has spent a lifetime working hard to assist those in need, championing the rights of those with drug addictions and those who are suffering from mental illness.”